STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2003

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 2695

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2008

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Transportation and International Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 2695 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to direct the Department of Transportation to determine the need for noise barriers along H‑1 and the possible costs and benefits of erecting noise barriers to mitigate the negative impact of highway noise in residential areas.

     Testimony in support of this measure was received from the Department of Transportation (Department).

     Your Committee finds that noise barriers may offer relief for residential areas near heavily traveled highways and roads, if they are designed to meet the needs and specifications of each residential area.  Your Committee notes that the Department is in the process of developing a noise policy and retrofit applications for Hawaii roadways, and supports the continuation of this effort.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Transportation and International Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2695 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Transportation and International Affairs,

____________________________

J. KALANI ENGLISH, Chair